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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Birney, David Bell, 1825-1864 to Gross

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02630.01 Author/Creator: Birney, David Bell, 1825-1864 Place Written: Falmouth, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 December 1862 Pagination: Order a Copy

Discussing the "terrible battle" of Fredericksburg, which had occurred six days earlier. States that "Our troops behaved well." Also "My old Division true to prestige drove back the enemy and retook the lost ground & held it under Artillery & rifles." Encloses a map (GLC02630.02) of the battle. Reports his "loss was 982 kill & missing," and has now returned to "same camps" as before the battle. Wishes to know if the division he now commands "Sustained Chantilly reputation." This refers to Chantilly, the last battle the division fought under its previous commander, General Kearny. Signed in initials. Written at "Camp Pitcher." Addressed to "Dear Gross." One black and white bust engraving of David B. Birney included.

Birney, David Bell, 1825-1864

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